PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of L-alanyl-glutamine (L-Ala-Gln) pretreatment on oxidative stress, glycemic control and inflammatory response in children submitted to palatoplasty.METHODS: Thirty male children scheduled for routine palatoplasty, age range 2-10 years, were randomly assigned to 2 groups (n=15): Group A (saline, control) and Group B (L-Ala-Gln). Group A received normal saline 100 ml, delivered intravenously by infusion pump over 3 hours preceding surgical procedure. Group B was treated with L-Ala-Gln, 20% solution (0.5g/Kg), adding saline to complete 100ml. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected at 5 different time-points: T1- at the beginning of the study, 3 h prior to the surgical procedure; T2- at the end of the infusion (before the surgical procedure), T3- at the end of the surgical procedure, T4- 6 h postoperative and T5- 12 h postoperative. Parameters analyzed included glutathione (GSH), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), glucose, insulin, C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6).RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found between groups comparing glucose, insulin, TBARS, GSH and IL-6 levels. However, glucose levels increased (P <0.001) in T4 and T5 as compared to baseline (T1) in control group as opposed to L-Ala-Gln group. IL-6 increased in both groups during the postoperative period, indicating an increased inflammatory response. L-Ala-Gln pretreatment did not suppress the increase of IL-6, but reduced the increase of postoperative CRP levels (T5, p <0.01).CONCLUSION: Pretreatment with L-Ala-Gln in children submitted to palatoplasty attenuates the inflammatory response in early post-operative period and promoted a better glycemic control.